Smart technology booms in Muscat

Qais Al Khonji is the founder of Genesis International in Oman. (Image source: Genesis International)Oman is encouraging the adoption of smart services in the utilities sector

Speaking exclusively with Technical Review Middle East, Qais Al Khonji, founder of Genesis International in Oman, said that Big Data is ‘the next oil and gas’.

Established in 2012, Genesis International provides different kinds of IT solutions but its most successful project is the Smart City concept implemented in Muscat.

Khonji said, “The Smart City concept is an online platform where you can pay your utilities bills. Still attached to the old system, the meter reader takes the reading into a smart pad and transfers the data to the main server. The solution we have brought to the market is to ease up the process of billing in Oman. However, when something new is adopted, it takes time to get accepted. We understand that our clients have to be educated for them also to educate their customers on the benefits of smart services.”

As Oman moves towards solar projects, the adoption of technology infrastructure is challenging at the moment. “But Oman is catching up and the authorities are thinking of adopting all technologies related to renewable energy – from solar to windmill. We believe the Big Data is the next oil. The sultanate has taken steps to adopt all the technologies that are cost-effective and I believe it’s a matter of time before we achieve our targets on time.”

With regards to Genesis International, Khonji said that the company’s sister concern –Genesis Projects and Investment – will supply its laboratory machineries to educational institutions for study purposes. “With such a business model we ensure that we do not create competitors. GPI equipment is high tech and manufactured with four more major players globally.”